Solvely - AI Study Companion

What it does

Solvely is an AI-powered educational tool designed to help students with their homework. Users can take a picture of a math or chemistry problem, and the app's AI scans, recognizes, and provides a detailed, step-by-step solution. Beyond just giving answers, it also features an AI tutor that can provide further explanations on specific steps, an in-app calculator, and a history of all solved problems.

Where it shines

Solvely's core strength lies in its ability to transform a static problem into an interactive learning experience. The process is remarkably smooth: the user scans a problem from their photo library (00:51), crops it, and a friendly animated mascot appears while the solution is generated (01:06). The real highlight is the 'Explain step' feature (01:29). Instead of a one-size-fits-all explanation, users can request deeper clarification on demand, making the learning process highly efficient and personalized. The app also handles complex, multi-line chemistry equations with ease (02:30), demonstrating its robust recognition capabilities.

UX highlights

Animated Loading States: At 01:06, a winking robot mascot with a magnifying glass makes the processing time feel engaging and less like a boring wait.
On-Demand Explanations: The small question mark icons next to each solution step (01:25) are a great example of progressive disclosure, providing help exactly where needed.
Clear Solution Hierarchy: Solutions are broken down into numbered steps with clear titles like 'Substitute the value' and 'Simplify the expression', making them easy to follow.
Direct to Action: After onboarding, the app immediately opens the camera interface, guiding the user straight to the core value proposition.
Copy and Share: Simple icons at the top of the solution screen (03:19) allow users to easily copy or share the solution, adding a layer of utility.
Helpful Tooltips: A tooltip like 'Crop only 1 question in the frame' (00:57) provides just-in-time guidance to prevent user error.

Monetization & growth

The app uses a hybrid monetization model. The primary path is a subscription with a 3-day free trial, presented after the first free solution (01:49). The paywall clearly lists the benefits of subscribing, such as unlimited scans and no ads. It also uses tiered discounts to encourage longer commitments ('SAVE 10%' for 3 months, 'SAVE 23%' for 6 months). Uniquely, the app also offers a secondary 'pay-as-you-go' model with gems (01:59), allowing users to purchase a set number of question solves. This caters to users with sporadic needs who might not want a recurring subscription.

Who it’s for

Solvely is clearly targeted at students, from middle school through to the undergraduate level. The presence of both algebra (00:57) and stoichiometry (02:30) problems indicates a broad subject range. The app serves two main use cases: the student who needs a quick answer to check their homework and the student who is genuinely stuck and needs a detailed explanation to learn a concept. The AI tutor feature positions it as a more interactive alternative to just looking up answers online.

Notes & opportunities

While the core problem-solving flow is excellent, the onboarding experience presents significant friction. It forces a user to sign up or log in (00:14) before they can experience the app's core function. Allowing a user to solve one problem before requiring sign-up could dramatically improve conversion by demonstrating value first. Additionally, the system permission prompts for notifications and tracking (00:02) appear without any warm-up screens, which can feel abrupt and may lead to lower opt-in rates.